Device for preventing seasickness and also applicable to lifts on board ship.



i I a H-. BAUMGARTNER. DBVIGEIOR PREVENTING SEASIGKNESS AND ALSO APPLICABLE TO LIFTS ON BOARD SHIP.

APPLICATION FILED OOT. 19,1908. I

991,820. Patented May 9, 1911.

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H. BAUMGARTNBR. sEAsIcKN sss AND ALSO APPLICABLE TO LIFTS .oN BOARD SHIP.

'DEVIGE ron PREVENTING APPLICATION FILED OOTL 19,1903

Patented May 9, 1911.

a sums-sum INVENTOR Hen/g/Zaw/zam/kar V WW i M J WITNESSES: Wm M ATTORNEYS 1m: Name's pz-rsns pm, wAsHlNcruN. 21.:v

H. BAUMGARTNER. DEVICE FOR PREVENTING SEASIGKNESS AND ALSO APPLICABLE TO LIFTS 0N BQARD SHIP.

APPLIUATION FILED OUT. 19, 19 08. 991,820. PatentedMay 9, 1911.

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IIIVENTOR Arm/Mrs rm: NORRIS PETERS co., WASHIHGTUN, 01c,

UNITE HENRY BAUMGALR'INER, 0F BRADFORD, ENGLAND.

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING SEASICKNESS AND ALSO APPLICABLE TO LIFTS ON BOARD SHIP.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY BAUMGART- man, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Bradford, Yorkshire, England, have invented a Device for Preventing Seasickness and also Applicable to Lifts on Board Ships, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is directed to apparatus fitted on ships for alleviating or preventing sea-sickness, and it relates to that class constructed as a lift and wherein the passenger cage is automatically raised and lowered to meet the pitching of the ship, while it is pivoted in such fashion in its supporting frame as to be free to swing longitudinally and transversely of the ship and thus always maintain a perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, position irrespective of the pitching and rolling thereof. In such apparatus the cage is operated to fall when the ship rises, and vice versa, by a fluid-pressure engine which is started and stopped automatically by electrical mechanism controlled by a device situated in the sea so as to be subject to the action of the waves in such manner as to rise and fall and thereby close and open the electric circuit to accomplish the designed working of the engine.

Now my invention has for its object to improve the working of this type of apparatus, and to this end it comprises a spring suspension device for the cage whereby the shocks arising front the starting and stopping are effectually cushioned or absorbed; a locking device for -maintaining the cage stationary in its support to allow of passengers entering and leaving it conveniently; a pawl and ratchet device for preventing the undesired fall of the cage; and a simple form of electrical and other mechanism for controlling the working of the engine, all of which I will now explain with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of a complete apparatus embodying my improvements; Fig. 2. is a sectional plan thereof on the line ZZ. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation of the spring suspension device for the cage. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a portion of the top of the cage, and of the locking device therefor. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a part of the operating mechanism for the said locking device, and for the pawl and ratchet device controlling Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 19, 1908.

Patented May 9, 1911.

Serial No. 458,474.

the descent of the cage. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the said pawl and ratchet device. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further part of the operating mechanism for the said pawl and ratchet device. And Fig. 8 is an elevation (more or less diagrammatic) of the electrical means, of the device operating same from outside the ship, and of the engine valve gear controlled thereby.

The same letters and numerals of references are used throughout the several figures to designate the same parts, and of them, referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a, a are two standards erected upon a deck 6 and joined at the upper ends by a beam 0 to constitute the framing of the apparatus. Between the standards a, a the cage cl is suspended, and it is raised and lowered, through the medium of a rope c or the like led over pulleys f, f, by an engine 9 situated below the deck I). All these parts are of the usual type and arrangement. The standards a, a are, as shown best in Fig. 2, of channel section, and each channel h is adapted to receive a block 2' designed to slide therein. These blocks 2', i carry between them the cagesupporting frame j (and, as I will fully describe hereafter, though it is convenient to allude to it here, the pawl portion 7: of the device for arresting the descent of the cage (Z, the complementary ratchet portion Z being provided on the standard a) for which purpose each block 2' is furnished with a socket m to serve as a bearing for a pivot n provided on the adjacent side of the frame 7'. A collar 0 is applied bet-ween each block 2' and the contiguous side of the frame to meet the wear of the pivotal point m, a. Each other side of the frame j is provided with a socket p to receive, and permit the turning of, a pivot g fitted on the corresponding side of the cage (Z. One of these pivots g, g is made hollow for the reason I will presently explain. Thus, as is customary, the cage d can swing in the frame j parallel with the standards a, a, while the frame j, and with it the cage (Z, can swing transversely thereto, consequently the cage cl always maintains the desired vertical position regardless of the rolling and pitching of the ship.

To and between the blocks 2', 2' is connected the device constituting the spring suspension for the cage (Z and forming one feature of my invention. This device consists of a couple of cambered bars 9" and s merged together at their ends adjoining the blocks a, i to which they are pivoted at t, t. The bars 7 and s are joined by the ties a, u and by a Stirrup 'v, a spring to and, as illustrated in Fig. 3, a spring w being interposed be tween the constituents of the stirrup o and the bars 1" and s to afford the requisite resiliency. The latter construction is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 and as there shown a bar 3/ is situated between the bars 1" and s, and is connected at its opposite ends to the sides of the stirrup 41, while the lower end of the stirrup o which projects below the bar 8, is closed by a disk 2 bolted thereto and having on its inner face a square stiffening boss 1 with a circular socket 2. The spring to, which is appropriately of the coach type, is connected to and between the bar 7 and the bar 12 while the spring 00, suitably of the helical class, is interposed between the bar a and the socket 2 of the boss 1. The depth of the socket 2 and the length of the spring aare so related that the spring is almost entirely inclosed and in this way its alinement and stability are maintained. Therefore, by this construction, the jar arising in starting the ascent, and arresting the descent, of the cage (Z is reduced or prevent-ed with the resulting benefit to the passengers. To further prevent shock in the event of the cage (Z descending upon the deck Z), helical springs 3-3 are interposed between the bottom thereof and a false bottom 4, thereby constituting a cushion.

In the underside of the disk 2 I make a socket 5 to constitute one element of the cage locking device forming another feature of my invention, the other elements, as shown best in Fig. t, being provided on the cage (Z itself and in the top thereof. These elements comprise a cylinder 6 secured to the cage (Z and inclosing an axially-movable bolt 7, a like-movable ring 8 and a spring 9. The spring 9, which surrounds the bolt 7, is interposed between a collar 10 thereon and the ring 8 and is designed to oppose the motion of them both, this motion, as I will presently explain, being imparted through the agency of a bell-crank lever 11, therefore the free end 12 of the bolt 7, which projects beyond the outside of cylinder (3, is kept out of engagement with its complement, viz., the socket 5. The top of the cylinder 6 is closed by a gland nut 13 which limits the ejection of the bolt 7. The arm lt of the lever 11 is bifurcated and embraces the cylinder 6 in the corresponding sides of which a radial slot 15 is made, while corresponding with this slot, but transversely to it, a slot 16 is made in the ring 3. On each prong of the bifurcated arm 1% of the lever 11 a stud 17 is provided for entering and reposing in the pair of corresponding slots 15 and 16. Hence when the lever 11 is operated to raise its arm 14, the ring 8 is lifted by the studs 17,

17 and, through the medium of, but against,

the spring 9, likewise the bolt 7 whereby its free end 12 is pushed into engagement with the socket 5, consequently the cage (Z is locked to the bars 7* and s of the suspension device and its swinging at the pivots 71/, a and gfij prevented, which permits passengers to conveniently enter and leave the cage d. The bolt 7 is withdrawn by the spring 9 on the reverse operation of the lever 11.

The lever 11 is actuated by turning to the left a handlever 18 shown in Fig. 5, which is situated within the cage (Z and pivoted at 19, the motion imparted to it being transmitted to the lever 11 through the agency of linkwork 20 illustrated in the figure just referred to, and in Fig. t. A stud 21. is furnished on the lever 18 in Fig. 5. This is for actuating the pawl 76 of the device for determining the descent of the cage (Z, which device constitutes a further feature of my invention, and which I will now describe. There are four of these devices is, Z arranged, as represented in Fig. 2, in pairs, one pair at each standard a, and all the components 7c, 7c, Zr, are worked simultaneously by the lever 18 illustrated in Fig. 5 through the agency of suitable transmitting means which I will explain in course. Each pawl 7;- consists, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, but more clearly in the latter, of two members 22 and 23 mounted on pivots 24 and 25 respectively carried by the block 2' conveniently recessed, as at 26, for the purpose. The member 22 is formed with a hook 27 for co-acting with a corresponding hook 28 formed on the member 23 so that the two members interlock or engage. This is their normal condition, and it is maintained by a spring 29 mounted between them on a stud 30 in the recess 26 so as always to press the hooks 27 and 28 together. The member 22 is furnished with a tail 31 for cooperating with the ratchet Z which is provided on the inner face of the standard a at each side of the channel 71, therein. The normal tendency of the tail 31 is to engage the ratchet Z when the cage (Z descends, and to ride over same when the cage (Z ascends. However, it is necessary to provide for the complete withdrawal of the tail 31 from the ratchet Z, and for this purpose the arm 32 of the member 23 is made comparatively long in order to coact with means for pressing it toward the standard a and in this way withdraw the tail 31 of the member 22 from the ratchet Z, the return to normal position being effected by gravity on the arm 32 being released. Such means comprise a spindle 33,

which is common to a pair of the pawl components 7c, is, rotatably mounted, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, upon and below the cage supporting frame 7'. This spindle 33 is provided with a couple of cams or eccentrics 34, 34 for operating upon the corresponding arms 32, 32 of the members 23, 23 and also, at one end projecting beyond the frame j, with a lever 35 to whose free end is attached one extremity of a cord (or it may be a chain or the like) 36 led over pulleys 37, 37 to,

and through, the aforesaid hollow pivot q (the reason for this hollow pivot is now apparent) and thence to the stud 21 of the lever 18 to which the extremity is secured. A flat spring 38 is interposed between the top of the lever 35 and the underside of the frame j for opposing the upward motion of the lever. Thus when the lever 18 is, referring to Fig. 5,turned to the right, the pawls is, is, 7c, is, through the medium of the levers 35, 35 and their complementary parts, are simultaneously actuated to withdraw them from the ratchets Z, Z, Z, Z, to permit the descent of the cage (Z, but when the lever 18 is released the pawls resume their normal position by gravity to arrest same. The springs 38, 38 effect the return of the levers 35, 35 and the allied parts to their original positions.

I will now explain the remaining feature of my invention, which is the mechanism for controlling the engine 9 and is illustrated in Fig. 8. Here 39 is the electrical mechanism, 40 the device operating with same under the influence of the waves, and 41 the engine valve gear controller. The mechanism 39 comprises a battery 42 and a solenoid 43 in electrical connection therewith. The solenoid consists, as usual, of a coil 44 and a core 45 with retracting spring 46, the coil 44 being electrically connected with members 47 and 48 of the device 40, and the core 45 being mechanically connected with the engine gear 41 by a lever-system 49. Both the gear 41 and the lever-system 49 are of any suitable kind, hence detail description is unnecessary, though, perhaps, it is well to here remark that the lever-system marked 50 is, as will be explained later, for automatically operating the gear 41 to stop the engine 9 when the cage (Z arrives at the point of maximum ascent. The flow circuit between the battery 42 and the coil 44 is marked 51,

and it is controlled by a switch 52, while the return circuit, which is a split one, is marked, in the one case, 53. 54 and 55 under the control of a switch 56, and, in the other case, 53, 57, 58, and 55 under the control of the members 47 and 48 when the switch 56 is off. The switches 52 and 56, which are of any appropriate type, are operated as desired by suitable means within the cage (Z, and in such manner that, supposing both are on, the circuit 51, 53, 54 and 55 is closed, whereupon the core 45 is attracted by the coil 44 thereby operating, by the lever-system 49, the valve gear 41 to start the engine 9 and raise the cage (Z whose descent is effected by gravity on the engine 9 stopping consequent on the reverse operation of the switches 52 and 56. The members 47 and 48 are situated within the ship, a portion of whose shell is shown at 59. The member 47 is suitably fixed at one end 60 to any convenient place, while its free end 61 is cranked for the purpose of making and breaking contact with the contiguous end 62 of the member 48, which end is accordingly headed as depicted. This member 48 is movable vertically in guides 63, 63 secured to the ships shell 59, and its end, remote from the end 62, is connected to a chain 64 (or its equivalent) which is led through a hole 65 in the ships shell 59 and connected to the upper end of another vertically-movable member 66 mounted outside the ship in guides 67, 67 on the shell 59, the chain'64 being appropriately guided as indicated at 68. The lower end of the member 66 is provided with a plate 70, which is always drowned by the sea and thereby subject to the action of the waves. The members 48 and 66 are designed to balance with the aid of a spring 71 suitably applied to, and about,

the member 48. Therefore, when the mem ber 66 is lifted by the wave-action upon its plate 7 O, the member 48 is lowered and its end 62 makes contact with the end 61 of the member 47 whereupon, assuming the switch 58 is open, the circuit 51, 53, 57, 58 and 55 of the battery 42 and solenoid 43 is closed with the resulting effect upon the core 45 of the latter, causing it to operate the engine valve gear 41 to start the engine 9 to lift the cage d as explained, while the reverse accrues when the member 66 is depressed by the wave-action upon the plate 70, since this raises the member 48, aided by the spring 71, and the contact between the ends 61 and 62'is broken, consequently the cage (Z is free to descend as before.

Now, as regards the lever-system 50 just mentioned. Upon referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that I provide the top of the right hand block a with a projection 72. Its function is to actuate a lever-system 73 arranged above it and connected with the like system 50 illustrated in Fig. 8 thereby operating the valve gear 41 to stop the engine 9. The

system 73 is positioned so as to be worked only when the cage (Z is at the maximum point of its ascent, consequently safety is provided.

Having now described the construction and operation of the various components of my invention, I proceed to explain the way in which apparatus embodying them is worked.

When the apparatus is performing the function for which it is mainly designed,

viz, of alleviating or preventing seasickness, preferably the cage (Z is raised to occupy a medial position in the well or space between the standards a, a. This is accomplished by operating the switches 52 and 56 to close the circuit 51, 53, 54 and 55 to cause the solenoid 43 to operate the valve gear 41 to start the engine 9 and then stop it, whereupon the cage (Z is held in the elevated position by the normal action of the pawls 7c, 7c, 7c, and the ratchets Z, Z, Z, Z. Assuming the cage d is in such position, and further, that it is level with a deck on which are passengers ready to enter the cage (Z and that the ship is pitching, then the lever 18 is operated to lock the cage d to the spring suspension by forcing the bolt 7 on the cage (Z into the socket 5 at the stirrup '2) embracing the bars 7" and s of such suspension, and, in consequence, the oscillation of the cage (Z at the pivots n, n and g, g is prevented so that the passenger can enter the cage cZ comfortably. Next the switches 52 and 56 are moved into the on and off position respectively, and at the same time the lever 18 is operated to withdraw the pawls 7c, 70, 7c, is from the ratchets Z, Z, Z, Z, whereupon the engine 9 is subject to the electric circuit 51, 53, 57, 58 and 55, and, therefore, the ascent and descent of the cage (Z is consequent upon the pitching of the ship. Now if the member 66 is lifted by the waveaction upon its plate 70, then the member 48 is lowered to make contact with the complementary member 47 at the end 61 and 62, whence the circuit 51, 53, 57, 58 and 55 is closed and the solenoid 43 acts upon the valve gear 41 to cause the engine 9 to raise the cage d and this continues (but not up to the maximum point because when such is reached the projection 72 on the block 2' operates the lever system 73 and 50 to act on the valve gear 41 to stop engine g) until there is a reverse wave-action given to the member 66 whereby the contact at 61 and 62 is broken and the circuit 51, 53, 57, 58 and 55 opened again and the engine 9 thereby stopped, and on this occurring the cage (Z falls under gravity due to the pawls 70, 70, 7a, 7a and ratchets Z, Z, Z, Zbeing maintained in the inoperative position until the next wave-action effects the closing of the circuit 51, 53, 57, 58 and 55 again, whereupon the cage cZ rises once more and then, in course, falls, and so on these operations are repeated so long as the conditions assumed exists. Thus the ascent and descent of the cage cZ is automatically controlled by the pitching of the ship. Now supposing the switch 56 is moved into the on position, then the circuit 51, 53, 57, 58 and 55 is cut out and the circuit 51, 53, 54 and 55 is closed, in which event the ascent of the cage (Z is under manual control and likewise its descent under the control of the hand-operated pawls Z4, 7a, 7c, is. This permits of the passengers leaving the cage (Z for which purpose it is, if necessary, again locked to the spring suspension by the bolt 7 to prevent inconvenient swinging.

From the last described condition of working it will be manifest the apparatus is capable of use as an ordinary lift, in which case the cage may be locked or not to the spring suspension device, such being determined by whether the ship is pitching or not.

It will now be seen that apparatus embodying my invention possesses the attributes of simplicity, safety and convenience.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a relatively stationary framework, blocks slidable relatively thereto, a supporting frame pivotally connected wlth said blocks and supported thereby, a cage pivotally connected with said supporting frame, and a suspension device secured to said blocks, the suspension device compris ing bars, a stirrup disposed adjacent to the bars, and springs engaging the stirrup and the bars.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a cage, a suspension device provided with a socket, a bolt connect-ed with said cage and adapted to enter said socket for the purpose of holding said cage temporarily in a predetermined position, a spring for holding said bolt within said socket, and lever mechanism connected with said bolt for withdrawing the same from said socket.

3. The combination of a fixed frame, blocks slidable relatively to the same, a supporting frame pivotally mounted upon said blocks, a cage pivotally mounted within said supporting frame, pawls carried by said blocks, ratchets connected with the fixed frame, means for causing said pawls to normally engage said ratchets upon the descent of said cage, and mechanism controllable by a person within said cage to release said pawls from said ratchets in order to permit the descent of said cage.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a cage to be raised and lowered, means including a valve gear for controlling movements of said cage, means including a solenoid for actuating said valve gear, an electric circuit for energizing said solenoid, said circuit being split into two branches, a switch connected with one of said branches for opening and closing the same by hand, and contact mechanism connected with the other of said branches for opening and closing the same in accordance with movements of the ship, so that said solenoid is controllable independently from said switch and from said contact mechanism.

5. The combination of a fixed framework, blocks slidable relatively thereto, a supporting frame pivotally connected with said blocks and supported by the same, a cage pivotally connected with said supporting frame and carried thereby, and a suspension device secured to said blocks for raising and lowering them.

6. The combination of a fixed framework, blocks slidable relatively to said framework, means for raising and lowering said blocks, a supporting frame pivotally mounted upon said blocks and adapted to rock slightly in 10 a particular plane, and a cage pivotally mounted upon said supporting frame and free to rock in a plane crossing said plane first mentioned.

HENRY BAUMGARTNER. Witnesses:

E. GASS, C. FRENKEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

